Senior Legal Counsel, Investments (Private Credit, Real Assets Lending)

AustralianSuper is the largest superannuation fund in Australia – in the top 20 largest funds globally and top 50 asset owners globally.

With more than US $220 billion in current assets under management, and a world-class investment team, AustralianSuper has the appetite and capability to directly invest in large-scale opportunities.

At AustralianSuper, we truly care about our colleagues.​ We know work and life are intertwined, that’s why we support the diverse needs of everyone and have policies that enable us all to thrive and be truly flexible. We ensure diversity is celebrated for the opportunity it provides us all to learn and grow, and ultimately to deliver better outcomes for members. 

Your new role

Due to our significant growth, we are expanding our investment capabilities in New York, focusing on Private Credit, Infrastructure, Property and Private Equity. 

As Senior Legal Counsel, Investments, your role will be to ensure that the commercial elements regarding the Fund’s Private Credit investments in the United States are effectively identified, negotiated, documented and continuously monitored, and that legal risk is effectively managed.

By joining our team in New York, you will have the opportunity to autonomously manage the legal and related due diligence required in respect of assets in which the Fund is planning to invest, with a particular focus on the Fund’s Private Credit direct investments (including real estate debt, infrastructure debt and corporate credit).

Our Private Credit team invests in real asset-backed loans and US middle market corporate loans. The global Private Credit investments team has deep experience in real assets lending, with a focus on opportunities in real estate (primarily) and infrastructure sectors; and has the ability to invest in opportunities across the full range of credit instruments. Due to the size and scale of the Fund, Private Credit is predominantly a global strategy targeting geographies in North America and Western Europe. 

This position is based on-site at 1251 Avenues of the Americas, with a hybrid work schedule; and will report to the Head of Investments Legal, who is also based in New York. 

Key responsibilities

• Lead the identification, escalation and mitigation of legal risks associated with the Fund’s Private Credit investment activities as part of the legal work stream.
• Assist in acquisition financing and related matters on real estate and infrastructure investments.
• Provide strategic legal advice for the Fund’s existing investments.
• Negotiate and document contractual arrangements within a transaction.
• Own the relationship with external due diligence providers to ensure all material risks are addressed to the Fund’s satisfaction.
• Manage and provide significant advice on legal documentation and commercial terms relating to both the Fund’s debt investment activity and broader Investment Department activity.
• Take ownership for the development and implementation of appropriate control processes, precedents and checklists for the ongoing review of investments in unlisted assets.
• Help to ensure the Fund is structured and operating in an optimal manner to ensure scale and opportunities are exploited.
• Keep pace with the issues surrounding Private Credit investments and communicate these to senior stakeholders as required.
• Establish a trusted advisor relationship with all internal stakeholders.

What you’ll need  

• JD Degree from an accredited U.S. law school and Admitted to the New York Bar.
• 7+ years of experience working within private practice at a large law firm or an in-house legal function, with significant experience in real estate financing, infrastructure financing, corporate credit and/or structured financing.
• Experience in real estate financing is highly desired. 
• Extensive experience working on large-scale corporate/commercial lending transactions.
• Strong working knowledge of credit agreements, guaranties, intercreditor agreements, recognition agreements and general lending documentation.
• Demonstrated understanding of public and private M&A.
• Detailed understanding of due diligence principles relating to investments and a high-level understanding of applicable regulatory clearances.
• Extensive experience with drafting contracts, preparing reports, analyzing information and drawing conclusions.
• Sound commercial judgement and a results orientation.
• Well-developed understanding of negotiation strategies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to present ideas, perspectives and issues to senior management.
• Culture is key at AustralianSuper and we are looking for som